BA - The Club - Readers’ Awards 2018: The winners

Hotel with the greatest wow factor

The winner: The Peninsula, Hong Kong
You said: The Felix Bar on the 28th floor is fabulous.
The Club says: One of Hong Kong’s oldest and most historic hotels, The Peninsula continues to shine as the Asian hub’s most glamorous property. Think Rolls Royces on hand to deliver you to your lodgings, and an afternoon tea that won’t disappoint.
Runner up: The Balmoral, Edinburgh

Hidden gem hotel

Winner: La Maison d’Ulysse, Uzès
You said: Outstanding! Spacious rooms that are not over-decorated. Great location for exploring Uzès and an area of France with many points of interest without the crowds of Provence.
The Club says: A classic Provençale farmhouse surrounded by gardens of wild flowers, this hotel is an idyllic home away from home with rustic-chic interiors and a charming Middle Eastern-themed spa.
Runner up: Iconic, Santorini

Friendliest family hotel

Winner: Fairmont, Maldives
You said: Super luxurious resort, with a lovely sea view and fantastic food.
The Club says: Featuring 120 villas each with their own private plunge pool, this sun-soaked retreat has no shortage of family friendly activities, with tennis, football, Thai boxing classes and yoga on offer, plus a play garden for toddlers and a teenager’s hangout with pool tables and video games.
Runner up: Atlantis the Palm, Dubai

Destination with the most epic driving

Winner: Great Ocean Road, Australia
You said: A truly amazing drive with plenty of stop-off places and small towns. Plus it’s easy to divert a couple of miles inland to see nature at its best.
The Club says: On the southwest coast of Victoria, the Great Ocean Road is marked by outstanding natural beauty and wildlife with spectacular sea views and vertiginous clifftops.
Runner up: Garden Route, South Africa

Photo: Getty Images

Most surprising city escape

Winner: Cape Town, South Africa
You said: Beautiful harbour scenes beneath Table mountain.
The Club says: Just two hours ahead of the UK, Cape Town is a bucket list destination for travellers in search of a vibrant city with great weather, with plenty of new cultural additions like the contemporary Zeitz Mocaa museum, which opened last year.
Runner up: Edinburgh, Scotland

Photo: Getty Images

Destination with the greatest cultural highs

Winner: London, UK
You said: World-class theatre, music, art, centuries of history, royalty, scenery, ancient and super-modern architecture side-by-side, pageantry: London has it all.
The Club says: London’s arts and culture scene provides nourishment for the soul, with dazzling musicals, roof-raising concerts, plus a spread of festivals and fun pop-ups taking place all year long.
Runner up: Rome, Italy

Photo: Getty Images

Ultimate mind-blowing spa

Winner: The Retreat Spa at Blue Lagoon Iceland
You said: Even in a gale, sitting in this iconic spa smeared with white mud and surrounded by warm, bubbling thermal water, was so relaxing. It’s great as a stopover destination, too.
The Club says: One of the world’s best-known natural spas, it’s worth booking in for a day visit to experience the effects of the lagoon’s restorative, geothermal waters.
Runner up: The Lanesborough, London

Bar to be spotted in

Winner: Eden Roc Champagne Lounge at Hotel du Cap Eden Roc, France
You said: Top-class location frequented by many interesting people.
The Club says: Join the celebrity set at this five-star Champagne bar, know for its vast selection of rare, prestigious varieties.
Runner up: The Devil’s Advocate, Edinburgh

Best BA lounge

Winner: Concorde Room, Heathrow T5
You said: The new security and access features, plus the views across the airport, make this place heavenly before a flight.
The Club says: The Concorde Room will get your trip off to the right start. Recline on a day bed for a pre-flight snooze, or catch up on emails with a glass of champagne and a dish of treats from the à la carte menu.
Runner up: Galleries Club Lounge, Heathrow T5

Readers’ Awards 2018: The winners

Hotel with the greatest wow factor

Hidden gem hotel

Friendliest family hotel

Destination with the most epic driving

Most surprising city escape

Destination with the greatest cultural highs

Ultimate mind-blowing spa

Bar to be spotted in

Best BA lounge

Hotel with the greatest wow factor

Hidden gem hotel

Friendliest family hotel

Destination with the most epic driving

Most surprising city escape

Destination with the greatest cultural highs

Ultimate mind-blowing spa

Bar to be spotted in

Best BA lounge

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